Overview

Despite its high public profile, little is known about child protection work. This textbook offers ethnographic and scholarly insight into how social workers build and sustain relationships with children and families. It reimagines child protection practice, offering novel theoretical and practical perspectives on what 'good enough care' is.

Full Product Details

Author:   Harry Ferguson (Department of Social Policy & Social WorkUniversity of Birmingham)
Publisher:   Bristol University Press
Imprint:   Policy Press
ISBN:  

9781447378266

ISBN 10:   1447378261
Pages:   240
Publication Date:   25 November 2025
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Awaiting stock  

Table of Contents

Introduction: Bringing child protection to life 1. In search of good enough practice: Key developments in child protection work 2. The child protection system and the making of practice 3. Into the unknown: Investigating and assessing child protection concerns 4. Holding and Good Authority: Core concepts and experiences in relational work 5. Automated practice: The invisible, unheld child 6. Disorganised practice: Inconsistently held and unsafe children 7. Intimate practice: Seen, heard and held children 8. Nurturing practice: Making relationships with babies and young children 9. Holding relationships: Helping parents, families and enabling change 10. Hostile relationships: Working with involuntary service users, hate and conflict 11. From “not touchy-feely” to “natural huggers”: Relational styles in child protection work 12. Crafting relational spaces: Purposeful home visits, digital and outdoor practices 13. Beyond reflective practice: Helping practitioners with thinking and non-thinking 14. Holding environments: Live organisational support for relational practice 15. The Good Enough Practitioner: (Re)Making child protection work Appendix A: Methodology and the research studies

Reviews

“A rich, insightful exploration of the realities of child protection – messy, complex, but always centred on children and relationships. Essential reading for students and practitioners alike.” David Wilkins, Cardiff University “The importance of relationships in promoting positive and effective child protection is central to this excellent book. Informed by practice wisdom and underpinned by a lifetime of research, this is an excellent resource for both newly qualified and experienced professionals.” John Devaney, University of Edinburgh “No one captures the soul and texture of child protection like Harry Ferguson. This landmark book feels, sees and hears the work – illuminating its intimacy, complexity and ethical depth. Deeply human and utterly essential.” Richard Devine, social worker and author of Messy Social Work “A beautifully vivid, research-informed account of child protection practice, offering social workers guidance through the emotional, sensory and relational dilemmas of their everyday work with children and families.” Laura L. Cook, University of East Anglia

Author Information

Harry Ferguson is Professor of Social Work at the University of Birmingham. He has taught and researched child protection for 35 years and is among the most read social work academics in the world.

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